Rotary engine.



F. I. L. BYLGER.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, 1912. 1,0563%), Patented Mar. 18, 1913.

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COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH 60.. WASHINGTON. D. c.

F. I; L. BYLGER.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, 1912.

1 ,05 6 ,400, Patented Mar. 18, 1913.

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.rnAns IVAR L. BYLGER, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

ROTARY ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 18, 1913.

Application filed. May 28, 1912. Serial No. 700,168.

0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANS Ivan IJ- BYL- cnn, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rotary Engines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to rotary engines and particularly to engines of the class described in my application Serial No. 620,079, filed April 10, 1911. In that application I have described an engine the essential parts ofv which comprise two conical rotors rolling in contact, the space between the rotors being inclosed to form a working chamber, such chambers being crossed by one or more blades or pistons upon which the steam pressure acts. It will be understood that in engines of this type the space between rotors which must be crossed by the pistons is constantly varying in width. It is therefore necessary either to use a rigid piston sliding in pockets in one or both of the conical rotors, or to use a folding or ccllapsible piston. The use of both of these kinds of pistons has been suggested, but difliculties have been experienced in properly securing the pistons to the rotors and in maintaining steam tight joints between the pistons and rotors and between the sections of the pistons when hinged or collapsible pistons have been used. In the case of rigid pistons, it has been customary to provide a pivotal connection between the piston and each of the rotors, and in some cases even, a pivotal and sliding connect-ion for each end of the piston. In my application above referred to I overcame the objection of providing a pivotal connection at each end of the piston by providing a pocket in one rotor in which the piston slides and by which it is firmly held and guided, the other end of the piston having a connection with the other rotor of such a nature that the piston is capable of both pivotal and lateral movement upon the rotor.

In accordance with my present invention, I eliminate the necessity for a movable connection of any kind between the piston and one of the rotors, and am thus enabled to attach the piston solidly to one rotor, providing a connection between the piston and the other rotor of such nature that it will compensate for all of the movements of the piston with relation to such rotor. It will be seen that this connection mustnot only permit the in and out movement of the piston, but must also provide for the pivotal movement of the piston with relation to the rotor and for a limited circumferential or lateral movement of the piston with relation to the rotor. This is due to the fact that the axes about which the conical rotors rotate are necessarily inclined to each other. The nature of my improvements by which I attain the advantageous operation described will more fully appear from the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through a rotary engine embodying one form of my invention, parts of one pair of rotors being shown in elevation; Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the engine taken between the working faces of one pair of the main and secondary rotors and showing the working faces of the main rotor in elevation; Fig. 3 is a view in elevation upon a somewhat enlarged scale showing a portion of the secondary rotor and one of the pivoted blade or piston pockets carried thereby, a portion of the rotor being shown in section; Fig. & is a side elevation of the piston pocket removed; Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the piston pocket shown in Fig. 4;; Fig. 6 is a detail view of one of the segmental packing members for the blade; Fig. 7 is a section through a portion of the secondary rotor taken on line VII-VII of Fig. 3, the blade pocket being removed.

In Fig. 1 I have shown an engine of the general form fully described and claimed broadly in my application Serial No. 620,079 above referred to. It will be unnecessary therefore in the present case to describe this engine in all its details. It may be stated briefly, however, that the engine comprises a casing 1 through which passes a main shaft 2 journaled in bearings 3. Inclosing and supported by the portion of the shaft passing through the casing is a hollow trunk 4 which carries a pair of similar but oppositely placed main rotors 5, each of which has cooperating with it a secondary rotor 6. The main rotors are secured upon the trunk against rotation thereon and the trunk is keyed or otherwise fixed to the main shaft, so that the rotary movement of the main rotors is transmitted to the main shaft. The secondary rotors have no shafts, but are supported by their engagement with relation to the pistons in the outer chamber and preferably located 90 degrees therefrom. The advantages of the two chambers and of this arrangement of pistons are set forth in my application above referred to, in which application this construction is fully described and claimed. In accordance with my present invention all of the pistons 31 and 32 are firmly secured to the main rotor, being preferably bolted along their upper and lower edges between the sections of the main rotor by means of bolts 33, as shown. One end of each of the pistons is also received between parts of the main rotor as indicated in Fig. 1, so that each of the pistons is firmly supported in the main rotor along three edges. The pistons are thus held against flexure and may be made of comparatively light construction, and are also capable of transmitting all of the pres sure of the steam directly to the rotor to rotate the same. They become practically integral parts of the main rotor.

The secondary rotor is provided with a plurality of pockets 34, which receive the blades or pistons 31 and 32. These pockets 34 slide upon the pistons as the corresponding parts of the main and secondary rotors approach and separate during the rotation of the engine. The pistons pass between the end portions 35 of the walls of the pockets, suitable packing means being interposed to prevent leakage of steam around the pistons and to permit a limited pivotal movement of the pockets upon the pistons. As shown, the end portions of the pocket walls have curved recesses formed therein which receive the packing pieces 36. The packing pieces 36 form segments of a cylinder and when held in their recesses by the piston passing between them, their curved outer surfaces lie in the same cylindrical surface. They are thus free to turn in their recesses so as to permit the piston and pocket to swing out of alinement. At the same time the piston slides between the parallel faces of the packing pieces. As the pistons are mounted rigidly upon the main rotor, it will be seen that it is necessary to provide connections between the pistons and the secondary rotor of such a character that a limited lateral or circumferential movement of the pistons relative to the secondary rotor is permitted as the rotors revolve. Otherwise, either the blades would be broken or the secondary rotor would be compelled to slip upon the main rotor instead of rolling in contact therewith. Such slipping would obviously cause excessive friction and wear and defeat the principal object of providing rotors with rolling conical surfaces. I accomplish the desired result in the form of my invention illustrated by pivoting the pockets 34 in recesses 37 in the secondary rotor. At the back of each of the recesses 37 I mount a plate 38 having semi-circular bearing recesses 39 therein in which are received the curved bosses 4O projecting from the end of the pocket 34. Between the recesses 39 the plate 38 carries a boss 41, which is received between the bosses 40. The bosses 40 and 41 are provided with alined holes through which passes a pintle 42 by which the pocket is pivoted to the plate 38. The axis of the pintle 42 passes through the common apex of the conical surfaces of the rotors as indicated in Fig. 1. In order to prevent the leakage of steam into the recesses 37, the end portions 35 of the side walls of the pockets 34 are provided with conical surfaces 43 which fit the conical surfaces 44 of blocks 45 carried by the secondary rotor at the mouth of each of the re cesses 37. The axis of the conical surfaces coincides with the axis of the pintle 42 and the apex is at the apices of the main and secondary rotors.

The blocks 45 are secured to the secondary rotor in any suitable manner, for example, as shown in Figs. 3 and 7. As shown in these figures, the secondary rotor has curved recesses formed therein at each side of the recesses 37, cylindrical sleeves 46 being bolted in these recesses. The blocks 45 are secured to the projecting portions of these sleeves in any suitable manner, as by means of the screws 47. The main rotor is provided wit-h recesses 48, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 to receive the projecting portions of the sleeves 46 as the rotors revolve. The pieces 45 preferably have packing strips 49 set in their conical faces. The ends of the pieces 45 and of the sleeves 46 fit closely between the spherical surfaces of the main rotor as shown in Fig. 1. Packing strips 50 are preferably set in recesses in such ends. The end pieces 35 of the pocket 34 and the ends of the packing pieces 36 also engage the spherical surfaces of the main rotor, the end pieces preferably carrying packing pieces 51 at their lower ends. Packing pieces are unnecessary at the upper ends as the end pieces will be held in contact with the outer spherical surface by centrifugal force. The packing pieces 36 are preferably made in sections as shown in Fig. 6 the two sections being forced apart by springs 52 so as to insure the close fitting of the ends of these packing pieces with the spherical surfaces. The lower ends of the packing pieces are preferably conical, the recesses in the ends of the walls of the pocket and the inner ends of the packing pieces 51 being similarly shaped as shown in Fig. 5. This arrangement insures better contact with the packing pieces 51 whenv the lower portions of the packing pieces 36 are pressed down. It will be understood that the packings shown are merely examples of-packings which may be used in the several places referred to and that any suit able means for rendering the joints steam tight may be utilized without departing from my invention.

The o )erati(. n of the engine is in the main the same as that of the engine described in my application Serial. N umber 620,079, above referred to. As the rotors revolve the blades or pistons slide in and. out of the pockets, the pockets at the same time swinging about the pintles .42 through a small angle. One of the pockets is indicated in the position of maximum displacement at the right of Fig. 1. ll hen the piston and pocket are at the line of contact of the rotors or at a point diametrically opposite thereto, the pocket will be in its central position and the piston and pocket alined. lVhen the piston. ano pocket are in a position diametrically opposite to that illustrated in Fig. 1. the pocket will be displaced a like amount in the opposite direction. it will be seen that as the pistons are firmly supported upon the main rotor, all the pressure of the steam will be transmitted by the pistons directly to the main rotor and the secondary rotor l ecomes practically an idler, serving sim ply to close the working chamber. Practically the only pressure upon the swinging pockets that of the stezun upon the small exposed surf ces of the ends thereof and this is taken care of by the engagee iucnt sses 40 with the bloclcs 38.

The pistons slide freely and practically without wear between the packing pieces 36, as such pieces and. the peel; ts are not called upon to give any lateral support to the pistons but merely act to prevent the passage steam around them.

I do not wish to limit my invention to the. particular form of engine shown, as my improved manner of supporting the pistons and of providing movable pockets ther fore is ca r, ble of application to any engine in which a condition may arise calling for the use of such a mechanism. I believe that the principle involved in the invention set.- forth in this specification and defined. in the appended claims is novel and therefore intend to cover the application of the same broadly.

l have referred in several places to the operating fluid as steam but it is clear that any other operating fluid may be used. It is also obvious that my improved. construction is applicable to rotary pumps and compressors as well as to prime movers.

Having thus described my invention, ll: claim:

1. in a rotary engine, in combination, a main rotor, a secondary rotor cotiperating with said main rotor and rotating about an axis disposed at an angle to the axis of the main rotor, a piston rigidly attached to the main rotor and projecting therefrom, and device.- carried by the secondary rot-or en gaging said piston, said devices being capable of limited circumferential movement with relation to said secondary rotor.

Q. In a rotary engine, in combination, a main rotor, a secondary rotor cooperating therewith and rotating about an axis disposed at an angle to the axis of the main rotor, and a. piston rigidly attached to said main rotor and projecting therefrom, said piston entering a recess in said secondary rotor, and means for preventing the passage of the operating fluid around said piston, said means engaging said piston and being capable of limited circumferential movement with relation to said secondary rotor.

53. In a rotary engine, in combination, a main rotor, a secondary rotor cooperating therewith and rotating about an axis dis posed at an angle to the axis of the main rotor, a piston rigidly fixed to said main rotor and projecting therefrom, and a pocketfor said piston carried by said secondary rotor, the portion of said. pocket engaging said piston being capable of limited circumferential movement with relation to said secondary rotor.

4:. ln a rotary engine, in ctanbination, a

main rotor, a. secondary rotor cooperating therewith and rotating about an tlXlS disposed at an angle to the axis of the mam rotor, a piston rigidly fixed to said main rotor and pro ectmg therefrom, a pocket med by said secondary rotor, said piston ingthrough an opening in said pocket and mating a steam tight joint with the walls of said opening. said pocket being pivoted to said secondary rotor so as to permit the portion thereof through which said piston passes to have a limited movement circumfcrentially of said rot in a rotary engine, in combination, a main rotor having a conical face. a secondary rotor rotating 2 bout an axis disposed at an angle to the axis of the main rotor, said secoi'ulary rotor having a conical face rolling in contact with the conical face of the main rotor, a spherical shell. inclosing a. working chamber between said conical faces, a. piston rigidly fixed to the main rotor and projecting therefrom, an. opening in the conical face of the secondary rotor through which said piston passes, and devices for preventing the passage of the operating fluid around said piston, said devices being capable of limited circumferential iovemcnt with relation to said secondary rotor.

ti. in a rotary engine, in combination, a main rotor having a conical face. a secondary rotor rotating about an axis disposed at an angle to the axis of the main rotor, said secondary rotor having a conical. face rolling in contact with. the conical face of the main rotor, a spherical, shell inclosing a working chamber between said conical faces, a piston rigidly fixed to the main rotor and projecting therefrom, an opening in the conical face of the secondary rotor through which said piston passes, and a member carried by said secondary rotor and capable of limited circumferential movement with relation thereto, said movable member making a steam tight joint with portions of said secondary rotor at each side of the opening therein, said piston sliding through an opening in said member and making a steam tight joint with the walls of said opening.

T. In a rotary engine, in combination, a main rotor having a conical face, a secondary rotor rotating about an axis disposed at an angle to the axis of the main rotor, said secondary rotor having a conical face rolling in contact with the conical face of the main rotor. a spherical shell inclosing a working chamber between said conical faces, a piston rigidly fixed to the main rotor and projecting therefrom, an opening in the conical face of the secondary rotor through which said piston passes, and a pocket pivoted to said secondary rotor to swing about an axis which passes through the common apex of the cones in which the conical surfaces of the main and secondary rotors lie, the ends of the walls of said pocket making steam tight joints with the portions of the secondary rotor at each side of the opening therein, said pockets having an opening therein through which said piston slides, the walls of said opening making a steam tight joint with said piston.

8. In a rotary engine, in combination, a main rotor having a spherical hub, a shell having a spherical surface concentric with the surface of said hub, and a conical bearing surface, the apex of the cone in which said surface lies coinciding with the center of said spherical surfaces, at secondary rotor having a portion fitting between the spherical surfaces of said main rotor, said portion having a conical surface lying in a cone, the apex of which coincides with the apex of the cone in which the conical surface of said main rotor lies, said conical surfaces rolling in contact, a piston rigidly fixed to said main rotor crossing the space between said spherical and conical surfaces, said secondary rotor having an opening through the conical face thereof, and a pocket carried by said secondary rotor, said pocket being pivoted to swing about an axis passing through the common apex of the cones in which the conical surfaces of said main and secondary rotors lie, said pocket forming a steam tight connection with portions of said secondary rotor at each side of the opening therein, said piston passing through an opening in said pocket, and forming a steam tight connection with the walls of said opening.

9. In a rotary engine, in combination, a main rotor having a spherical hub, a shell having a spherical inner surface concentric with the surface of said hub, and a conical bearing surface, the apex of the cone in which said surface lies coinciding with the center of said spherical surfaces, a piston carried by said main rotor and rigidly connected along three of its edges with said spherical hub, spherical shell and conical surface, respectively, a secondary rotor having a portion fitting between the spherical hub and spherical shell of said main rotor and having a conical surface rolling in contact with the conical surface of said main rotor, said secondary rotor having a recess therein in which said piston is received, and means for preventing the leakage of the operating fluid around said piston.

10. In a rotary engine, in combination, a main rotor having a spherical hub, a shell having a spherical inner surface and a conical bearing surface, and having a. piston fixed thereto, a secondary rotor having a portion fitting between said spherical surfaces, said portion having a conical bearing surface rolling in contact with the conical bearing surface of said main rotor, a pocket pivoted to said secondary rotor, said pocket receiving said piston, and a steam tight joint at the mouth of said pocket where said piston enters the same, said oint permitting pivotal and telescoping movement of the pocket with relation to the piston.

11. In a rotary engine, in combination, a main rotor having a spherical hub, a shell having a spherical inner surface concentric with the surface of said hub, and a conical bearing surface, the apex of the cone of which said surface is a part coinciding with the center of said spherical surfaces, a secondary rotor having a portion fitting between said spherical surfaces, and a conical bearing surface rolling in contact with the conical bearing surface of said main ro tor, a piston fixed to said main rotor, a recess in said secondary rotor, a pocket mounted in said recess and pivoted to swing about an axis passing through the common apex of the conical surfaces of said main and secondary rotors, overhanging portions carried by said secondary rotor at each side of the opening to the recess therein, said overhanging portions having conical inner faces, the outer ends of the walls of said pocket having conical faces engaging the conical faces of said overhanging portions, the adjacent faces of the end portions of said walls having curved recesses therein and segmental packing pieces mounted in said recesses, said packing pieces receiving between them said piston.

12. In a rotary engine, in combination, a pair of rotors having conical surfaces rolling in contact, a shell inclosing a working chamber between said surfaces, a piston rigidly fixed to one of said rotors and crossing said chamber, and means compensatin for all the mmements of said piston with relation to said secondary rotor for preventing the lea age of steam around said piston.

13. in a rotary engine, a pair of members having cooperating faces between which a working chamber is formed, the angular relation of corresponding portions of said faces changing during the cycle of operation of said engine, and a piston crossing said working chamber, said piston being rigidly fixed to one of said members, and devices carried by the second member engaging said piston and preventing the passage of the operating fluid around said piston, said devices being capable of limited lateral movement with relation to said second member.

1a. In a rotary engine, a pair of members having cooperating faces between which a working chamber is formed, the angular re lation of corresponding portions of said faces changing during the cycle of operation of said engine, and a piston crossing said working chamber, said piston being rigidly fixed to one of said members, said piston entering a recess in said second member, and means for preventing the passage of the operating fluid around said piston, said means engaging said piston and being capable of a sliding and tilting movement thereon, said means l eing also capable of a limited lateral movement with relation to said second member.

15. In a rotary engine, a pair of members having cooperating faces between which a working chamber is formed, the angular relation of corresponding portions of said faces changing during the cycle of operation of said engine, and a piston crossing said working chamber, said piston being rigidly fixed to one of said members, and a pocketpivoted to said second member and adapted to slide upon and receive said piston.

16. In a rotary engine, a pair of men'ibers having cooperating faces between which a working chamber is formed, the angular relation of corresponding portions of said faces changing during the cycle of operation of said engine, and a piston crossing said working chamber, said piston being rigidly fixed to one of said members, and a pocket pivoted at one end to said second member and having an opening at the other end thereof, said piston being adapted. to slide through said opening, said piston and pocket being capable of relative tilting movement.

FRANS IVAR L. BYLGER.

Witnesses EDMUND QUINCY Moses, Snwann DAVIS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

